Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of SM-5887, a new anthracycline derivative.

SM-5887, a new totally synthetic anthracycline derivative was studied in a phase I setting. Twenty-nine evaluable courses of treatment were conducted in groups at doses increasing from 10 to 130 mg/m2. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxicity and a MTD was 130 mg/m2. At 130 mg/m2 the median lowest white blood cell count was 0.7 x 10(3)/cmm (range: 0.3-1.8) and the median lowest granulocyte count was 0.1 x 10(3)/cmm (range: 0-0.7) and the median lowest platelet count was 57 x 10(3)/cmm (range: 4-176). Non-hematologic side effects were mild gastrointestinal symptoms and hair loss. The recommended dose and schedule for phase II setting is 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks.